Choosing a physician is often a tough task. Patients want a qualified doctor, but most also look for other qualities in that person: good communication skills, for example, and punctuality. How do patients find that kind of information? That’s where the Washington Health Alliance is trying to help. A patient-experience survey—conducted by the alliance last…

The Polyclinic and Swedish Medical Center recently joined forces to build a new surgery center with 12 operating rooms to accommodate procedures that don’t require an overnight hospital stay

The TCAR procedure requires a smaller incision (right) than traditional carotid endarterectomy (left) and can often be performed using local anesthesia. With a smaller incision, cranial nerve injury rates are reduced and scarring is minimized.

Awareness of transgender issues is rising, as our culture has embraced TV series like Transparent and the KUOW-FM podcast How to Be a Girl. But it’s still hard to find adequate health care for transgender and gender nonconforming youths. “Each year, I saw more and more patients who had had to take a circuitous route…

Hospice and palliative care both aim to improve quality of life, says Dr. Ellyn Lee of Swedish Medical Group

Due for a colonoscopy? Don’t wait, says Dr. Edward Slosberg of Western Washington Medical Group, who notes that it can prevent cancer

Genetic profiling is allowing for prevention and earlier treatment of some endoctrine disorders, says Dr. Gunjan Tykodi of Kaiser Permanente

Many people don’t realize ophthalmologists are medical doctors, says Eye MDs’ Dr. Francis Geissler, who is dedicated to helping his patients see

With new treatments, Dr. Uma Malhotra of Virginia Mason Medical Center sees new hope for patients with HIV and hepatitis C infections

Treating young people who need shoulder joint replacement is the specialty of Dr. Frederick Matsen of the University of Washington Medical Center